Ball Pythons Under Water?

I got my ball python Saturday and hes swam 4 times in his water bowl and will submerge his head for a few minutes and then come back up and do it again... any reason for this??

Could be mites, pre-shed itching or it might just be that he likes to swim. :D My male albino used to swim in his dish quite a bit when he was younger...never had any issues shedding or with mites (knock on wood!) but he'd go for a swim every so often. I'd check to make sure it isn't mites and that he isn't getting ready to shed but otherwise not stress it.

I havent seen any mites... he looks clean from what I can tell... he did have ALOT of pervious shed from the last owner not properly caring for him. Do you think hes trying to get the old off?

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Originally Posted by Bdubedub

I havent seen any mites... he looks clean from what I can tell... he did have ALOT of pervious shed from the last owner not properly caring for him. Do you think hes trying to get the old off?

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That is very possible.....

That very well could be. Could be too that he's retained eye caps and is trying to clear them off. Here's a great sticky that gives a better step-by-step than what I could manage:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...hed-No-problem.

Hope that helps and good luck!

IMO soaking is usually a bit unnecessary. Normally a damp hand towel left on the warm side of the tub/tank will do the trick. It will dramatically increase humidity and provide an abrasive for the snake to rub on.

My ball python loves the warm water in the tub... he just relaxes and stretches out... he still in his water dish as we speak... been about an hour.